‘Draft Michelle Obama for VP’ group launches, picks up steam

Vice President Joe Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama applaud as President Barack Obama delivers Veterans Day remarks at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2012. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

With the November 2020 presidential elections approaching, a coalition has formed to promote former first lady Michelle Obama as the running mate of the presumptive Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden.

The “Committee to Draft Michelle Obama for VP” recently launched a campaign-style website, promoting the idea of her joining Biden for the 2020 run against Republican President Donald Trump, and seeking donations to advance her proposed Vice Presidential candidacy.

“With a historic battle to reclaim the soul of America looming this November and the peril now faced by the Coronavirus pandemic, it remains in the best interest of the Democratic Party to nominate a vice-presidential candidate who has the trust of the American people, a vision to lead our nation forward, and empathy for challenges faced by all Americans,” the website says.

“The Committee to Draft Michelle Obama firmly believes that Ms. Obama not only can benefit the Democratic ticket this November given her status as the most trusted woman in America, but also, because of her embrace of empathic, human centered politics, can help create a Democratic Party and a country that cares for all of its people.”

The effort to promote the former first lady comes as Biden is still seeking a running mate. Biden has indicated since March he would choose a female running mate, though he expressed some skepticism the former first lady would be up for the run.

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“She’s brilliant. She knows the way around. She is a really fine woman. The Obamas are great friends,” Biden said in an April interview, ABC News reported. However, Biden added, “I don’t think she has any desire to live in the White House again.”

While Biden has expressed some doubt as to a run with the former first lady, the draft committee’s website did argue that “Millions of Americans support Michelle Obama as the Democratic Party’s VP Nominee.”

“Vice President Biden will face an uphill battle to combat the lies and deceit emanating from the White House,” the committee said in a statement provided to ABC News. “[Michelle Obama’s] credibility as a trusted leader and a strong symbol of unity within the Democratic Party would certainly help Democrats defeat Republicans up and down the ballot.”

Members for the committee include: Boston Mayoral Candidate Tito Jackson, Boston PBS affiliate board member Sydney Topol, former Assistant Director for the New York Civil Liberties Union Bill Batson, Senior Vice President for the University of New Hampshire, Mack II Inc. President Mack Wilbourn and beCause Global Consulting CEO Nadine Hack.